Nissan unveils NV200 compact cargo van in Chicago

We're used to seeing cargo vans from Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge. Now, Nissan is getting in the business and taking a smaller approach.

On Wednesday, Nissan showed of its new NV200 small commercial van at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. Nissan already sells the larger NV commercial van, but the NV200 is significantly smaller.

NV200s are already sold in many other countries. Now, they're coming to the United States.

The NV200 is being marketed to small businesses and companies wanting a van that's more economical and maneuverable than a large full-size van. It's similar in size to the Ford Transit Connect, though Nissan points out the NV200's interior floor is a little larger than the Transit Connect. The floor is large enough, in fact, to hold a standard pallet.

Powering the little workhorse is a 2-liter 4-cylinder engine. In a van, that engine won't win any races, but it's potent enough to get the job done.

The NV200 will also be the basis of the new New York Taxi and that model will be shown at the New York Auto Show in April.

By the way, Nissan is also using the Chicago Auto Show to present its updated 2013 370Z. The sports car is essentially the same, but the front bumper has been revised to include vertical columns of LEDs, and the little horns are gone from the lower air intake.

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